Electronic ID cards process marred by negligence: CEO

KABUL (Pajhwok): Acknowledging that negligence was demonstrated in the distribution of electronic identity cards, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah said he would take up the issue with the president.

Distribution of electronic ID cards is a joint project of Ministries of Interior and Communications and Information Technology and the contract for the project was inked five years ago.

Abdullah said the project was a national issue but regretted it was neglected and the process could not be get momentum.

He would take up the issue with President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani to identify weak areas in the vital process.

Last week, hundreds of employees of the electronic ID department lost their jobs after USAID and European Union (EU) suspended their funds to the department.

The CEO expressed concerns about sacking of employees and said that the he would discuss the issue with interior minister.

“These 1,000 individuals wanted to stage demonstrations. But I promised them the issue will be investigated and they will wait for another week,” he said.

Four days back the president met with relevant Afghan officials and international donors, asking that a working plan be prepared and shared with him in a week time about the pilot phase of electronic ID cards in Kabul.